Paraig MacNeil
Scottish Traditional Storyteller/Singer, Bard, Author, and tutor of Song, Verse and Memory

Joint Winner of the national Burnsong song-writing competition 2007

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Brainheart

Paraig MacNeil takes a unique and quirky look at the age of innovation, reflecting on what Scottish inventors, politicians and good Samaritans have offered the world, from the steam train and drainage guttering, to marmalade and the light bulb.

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Yon Lady o'Lawers did proclaim
"A day would be at hand
when the feather o' the goose would drive
that memory from man"

What could she mean by such a saying.
How did it come to pass
or spy did she sae sic' a thing,
up through her looking glass?

Why has man in such a state,
been left without a mind,
or want to re-open that gate
and take a look behind?

Where now are those who "progress'' has,
not at any time,
held back them from genteel regress,
for days o' auld lang syne?

Can we now find such an one,
the quill has not scratched out,
that father time won't overcome,
whose mind's eye he could not route?

Who is this one that builds the brig,
from days of old till now,
by songs and tales aye ere sae big,
from those that worked the plough?

Where then is he whose line is straight,
back to the kings of old,
whose pedigree he can relate,
to Hebrideans bold?

In Perthshire's hills, he can be found.
His voice declaims the land
and those that walked the very ground
Bravehearts whose names shall stand

the test o' time, no man can break;
Generations o' the true.
The gallant ones he lifts to fame.
True Scots! o' tartan hue.

His name proclaims old royalty,
o' Gaels whose word would bind
great integrity wi' loyalty.
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